40 Chapter 40. The armor at the root

Not long after his return from the Hokage's office, Danzo received a document from the Third Hokage, officially dismissing him from his position as advisor elder.

Danzo picked up the document and cast it aside with a heavy throw. Suddenly, a sharp pain surged through his right eye.

"Uh...ah..."

Danzo winced, covering his right eye: "Someone is approaching!"

Medical staff affiliated with the Roots quickly moved in to examine Danzo.

After diligent efforts and administering two types of medicine, the severe pain in Danzo's right eye gradually subsided.

"What's happening? Why does my Sharingan hurt?"

The medical staff explained seriously: "Sir, the transplanted Sharingan is declining. It is expected to lose its power within a week and become useless."

Danzo expressed his surprise, "Why is this happening so quickly?"

Although he had encountered Sharingan decay before, each previous instance allowed his eye to be functional for several years.

This time, however, decay set in immediately after the transplantation.

"Sir, the constitution of each Sharingan is different. Some are highly adaptable and stable, while others, like this one, decay rapidly in non-Uchiha individuals."

"Oh?" Danzo hadn't anticipated that his only remaining Sharingan would belong to a donor with such a fragile body.

Unable to make a move due to Uchiha being like a hedgehog, Danzo pondered, "How is the physical condition of Kakashi's Sharingan?"

The medical staff hesitated for a moment, then, under Danzo's stern gaze, promptly replied, "Kakashi's Sharingan was transplanted several years ago. It is very adaptable and stable."

Danzo sneered, "Summon A here."

...

In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage summoned Kakashi.

"How's Naruto been lately?" inquired the Third Hokage.

Kakashi, usually wearing a lazy expression, showed a subtle change upon hearing Naruto's name.

"Naruto's been doing well recently. He has Sasuke, Hinata, Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba with him most of the time. No one's been bullying him at school."

The Third Hokage nodded upon hearing Kakashi's response.

"Have you had a chance to meet Naruto?"

"I got to know Naruto when I went to eat at Ichiraku Ramen, and we chat for a while whenever we meet," replied Kakashi, still maintaining his detached and numb demeanor.

Despite his poor mental state, Kakashi continued to show genuine concern for Naruto.

The Third Hokage took a puff of his cigarette. Since the appearance of Uchiha Natsuki, the entire Uchiha clan underwent a drastic transformation.

The talents of the Hokage line seemed to be dwindling. His own son proved to be ineffective, displaying a troublesome nature that couldn't be easily corrected.

Currently, the one with higher talent seems to be Hatake Kakashi.

The Third Hokage contemplated the idea of further training Kakashi, hoping that he could mature quickly and eventually share some of the responsibilities in the future.

With a sigh, the Third Hokage thought to himself, 'If only...'

He then addressed Kakashi, "Orochimaru has defected for a while, but he left behind numerous research bases in Konoha."

"Anbu discovered an Orochimaru research base yesterday. Go check it out and see if you find anything."

"Understood!"

...

Outside Konoha Ninja School.

Sasuke walked confidently at the front with his hands in his pockets, Sakura trailing behind him. Following closely were Naruto and Hinata.

Naruto, feeling much healthier both physically and mentally in this world, no longer harbored any infatuation for Sakura.

Their relationship had become more normal. On the other hand, Hinata, who was following Naruto, had grown much closer to him.

"Sasuke-kun, you're once again at the top. You're amazing," Sakura complimented Sasuke with a look of admiration.

Sasuke found such attention irritating, especially from girls like Sakura who seemed to follow him like a fly every day.

Wherever he went, there were girls following him. Initially, it was a group of them causing a commotion.

Later, for reasons unknown, they seemed to have discussed and split into different routes, each with its own set of admirers.

Remaining cold and unresponsive, Sasuke turned around and noticed Naruto holding his head in his hands. "Hey, Naruto, if you don't work hard, you'll be left behind."

Naruto dropped his arms and retorted, "You arrogant Sasuke, this time it was just an accident. I'll definitely do better than you in the next exam."

Sasuke snorted arrogantly, "Impossible. Uchiha is the strongest."

"Naruto, don't boast. You can't even compare to Neji. How do you expect to surpass Sasuke-kun?" Sakura chimed in.

Hinata, standing behind Naruto, whispered, "I believe in Naruto-kun. He will definitely do well in the next exam."

Naruto laughed happily upon hearing this. "See, Sakura, there are still people who believe in me." He then gave Hinata a thumbs up. "Hinata is the most discerning."

Hinata's face turned visibly red.

"Hey? Hinata, what's wrong with you? Your face is so red. Do you have a fever?" Naruto approached Hinata nervously, extending his hand to check her forehead.

Nervously shaking, Hinata felt she might faint with Naruto so close. "Idiot Naruto!"

Sakura pulled him away and stood next to Hinata, preventing Naruto from reaching her. "If you touch her, she might faint. It's not the first time."

"Oh, come on! I'm not an idiot!" Naruto replied defiantly.

A small commotion erupted among the group.

Observing the youthful scene, Natsuki sighed from his perch on a tree. Just then, Kakashi appeared in his sight.

"Hey, Naruto, you're here." Kakashi, fully armed and appearing to be on a mission, approached them.

Creating a momentary presence for himself by stopping to greet them, Kakashi continued, "Ah, I have a mission. I'll treat you to ramen another day. Gotta go now."

"That person seems to be Kakashi," Sakura commented, looking surprised.

"Naruto, how do you know him?" she asked in disbelief.

"Huh?" Naruto looked confused.

"You mean Brother Kakashi."

Naruto said doubtfully: "I met him when we ate Ichiraku Ramen. We got to know each other a few times, and he even said he wanted to be friends with me."

"Do you know what Kakashi represents?" Sakura pulled Naruto's clothes and shook them.

"No, I don't know." Naruto still looked innocent.

Sakura said in the direction where Kakashi disappeared: "That's Kakashi Hatake, a super genius. Kakashi-senpai graduated from ninja school when he was 5 years old."

Um!? Sasuke's eyes were immediately attracted. At this age, they had just entered school, and he had already graduated.

"Hey!?" Naruto was shocked!

"Is Brother Kakashi so strong!?"

"He never said that!" Naruto was also surprised.

Sakura rolled her eyes and didn't want to pay attention to him.